Abstract
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The ancient Korean people believed that to build an ideal society it was necessary to
maintain harmony between the world of humans and that of the gods.
In ancient Korea, such a worldview was transmitted through myth and reinforced
through religious rituals led by shamans who communicated with gods. Shamans
provided information about the divine world. Based on the information, people formed
their worldview and bestowed values to it. Therefore, the shamanistic worldview and
shamans played a significant role in seizing and maintaining power in ancient Korean
society. Moreover, those groups wanting to seize and strengthen political power also
sought to monopolize myth and rituals.
Between the fourth and sixth centuries, the communal structure of ancient Korean
society began to disintegrate, as social specialization developed rapidly with increased
agricultural productivity. It was during this period that Buddhism was first introduced to
Korea. Those who sought a new social order and who became increasingly aware of
both the self and the individual turned to Buddhism for answers.
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| Keywords:
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worldview of ancient Korea, shamanism, shaman, divine kingship, myth, rite, Buddhism
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| About the author(s)
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Na Hee La (Na, Hui-ra) is Reseach Professor of Institute of Humanities Science at University of Ulsan. She received her Ph.D. in Korean History from Seoul National
University in 1999. She has authored many books and articles including Silla-ui gukga
jesa (The State Ritual of Silla) (2003) and "Godae hanguk-ui
saengsagwan-yeonghon-gwan-eul jungsim-euro" (The Outlook on Life and Death in
Ancient Korea: Focusing on a View of the Soul) (2003). E-mail: mythna@hanmail.net.
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